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Newcastle manager Alan Pardew says squad is strong enough

Alan Pardew has admitted it was a relief to come through the game against Man City with no fresh fitness concerns.

Last Updated: 17/12/12 11:01am

Alan Pardew: Demanding a repeat performance against QPR on Saturday

Newcastle's squad has been hit by a series of injuries to key players this season, with Pardew confirming at the weekend that Hatem Ben Arfa would miss the Christmas period with a hamstring problem.

However, Pardew will at least have no new absentees for Saturday's clash with QPR after his players came through the game against Manchester City unscathed.

He said: "I think that will be our squad, hopefully - we don't want to lose anyone. We have got a clean bill of health and that's a bonus in itself.

"Cheick [Tiote] was on a booking to miss QPR and I didn't want that, so I did take him off as a bit of a precaution for that.

"But the squad that played [on Saturday] is good enough. No excuses - if that team plays like that against QPR, I think we will win - with all due respect to QPR - and that's how we are going to have to play."